Being a modest British pensioner living in the Eurozone, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and lobster bisque are sadly out of my budget. Fortunately, I’ve got fresh gambas from Martha’s store, so I’ve created my own Prawn Bisque — a spicy prawn soup.
This spicy prawn soup, featuring marinated cazón, smoked paprika, noodles, thinly sliced green beans, and a drizzle of chilli oil, is the ultimate Asian seafood noodle soup. Quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for friends, this protein-packed soup is perfect for prawn and fish lovers alike.
Cazón is dogfish — a small, mild-flavoured member of the shark family. In the UK it was sold for years as rock salmon, a marketing name designed to make it more appealing. In Andalucía it's a staple, most famously marinated and fried as part of pescaíto frito. It holds together beautifully in a soup and adds real depth.
Ingredients for this spicy prawn soup
For the Stock
Shells from small gambas
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1 small carrot, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small slice fresh ginger
½ tsp smoked paprika
600 ml water
Pinch of salt or splash of soy sauce
For the Soup
150–200 g peeled gambas
100–150 g marinated cazón pieces (rinse if strongly seasoned)
½ leek, julienned
1 small carrot, julienned
4–5 mushrooms, thinly sliced
50–70 g green beans, thinly sliced
1 tsp grated ginger
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
½ tsp chilli flakes
Small pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp soy sauce
½ tsp sesame oil (optional)
½ tsp smoked paprika
Noodles (rice, egg, or soba — enough for 2 portions)
Chilli oil, to drizzle
Lime wedges, fresh coriander, or spring onion to serve
2. Prepare the Soup Base
Heat a drizzle of oil in a clean pan.
Add garlic, ginger, chilli flakes, cayenne, and the remaining ½ tsp smoked paprika; fry briefly until fragrant.
Stir in julienned leek, carrot, mushrooms, and thinly sliced green beans and cook 2–3 minutes until tender-crisp.
3. Cook the Seafood and Noodles
Pour in the strained prawn stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add cazón pieces and cook 4–5 minutes until opaque and tender.
Add noodles and cook according to packet instructions.
Add peeled gambas in the final 2–3 minutes and cook until pink.
4. Finish and Serve
Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil if using.
Taste and adjust seasoning — add extra paprika, chilli, or lime juice as needed.
Serve hot with a drizzle of chilli oil, fresh coriander or sliced spring onion, and lime wedges.
Tips for Perfect Spicy Asian Prawn Soup
Use fresh prawns for maximum flavour — small gambas work brilliantly.
Marinated cazón adds depth, but rinse lightly if strongly seasoned.
Adjust chilli, cayenne, and chilli oil to your preferred spice level.
Toss in spinach, bean sprouts, or bok choy just before serving for extra freshness.
Smoked paprika adds subtle warmth that complements Asian spices beautifully.
Green beans add crunch and vibrant colour — slice thinly for best texture.
Why This Recipe Works
This Asian prawn soup balances spicy, smoky, and fresh flavours. Combining prawns and cazón creates a protein-packed seafood noodle soup that’s comforting yet light. Quick to prepare, colourful, and packed with texture — perfect for weeknight dinners, lunches, or sharing with friends.
Suggested Variations
Add coconut milk for a creamy twist.
Substitute mushrooms with enoki or shiitake for extra umami.
Garnish with fried shallots or extra chilli oil for a restaurant-style finish.
For something handheld rather than a soup, my Hot & Spicy Rice Paper Dumplings for Andalucian Dim Sum Cravings scratches the same Asian-spice itch.
The chilli oil finishing this soup is homemade — my Small-Batch Chilli Oil with Fresh Chillies & Garlic Confit Oil recipe is worth having on hand for dishes like this one.
This recipe is part of my Soup Recipes collection. It joins a growing collection of soups – from chilled gazpacho to hearty broths and Asian-inspired bowls – in my complete Soup Recipes hub.
Wonky photos, proper soup, genuine adventures – The Flexible Chef
